Stone Mountain Park sits at an elevation of 1,686 feet, with surrounding campgrounds experiencing hot, humid summers and mild winters typical of northern Georgia. Most campgrounds in the Stone Mountain area operate year-round, though water activities are primarily enjoyed from May through September when water temperatures reach the mid-70s. Winter camping offers fewer crowds with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing.
What to do
Hiking to panoramic viewpoints: Fort Yargo State Park Campground offers excellent hiking options beyond Stone Mountain. "The hiking is a mixture of trails and old gravel roads. There is a large loop to see everything that is intersected by shorter cross trails. Very busy down near the ruins, but worth the hike to see the area," notes reviewer Shelly S. from Sweetwater Creek State Park Campground.
Paddle boarding on calm waters: Lakeside camping provides water access for various activities. "My husband and son enjoyed fishing and paddle boarding right behind our site. There was a lot to see and do at Stone Mountain," reports Susan K. from Stone Mountain Park Campground.
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: The region offers trails specifically designed for mountain bikers. "Mountain bike trails and hiking trails inside park. When I have more time we plan to go back and take it all in," explains Todd L. from Fort Yargo State Park Campground.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campsites offer room to spread out. "We spent a weekend here in section O. It was a nice, spacious campsite with a nice picnic table and partial view of the lake even though we didn't have 'lake view' site," shares Tonya B. from Stone Mountain Park Campground.
Convenient lake access: Bald Ridge Creek offers excellent water proximity. "This is the best campground on Lake Lanier. Nearly every site is on the Lake, with access to the water. The sites are very well maintained," reports Pam from Bald Ridge Creek.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high among camper priorities. "The bathhouse was a little dirty, so that's why I gave 4 stars instead of 5," notes Tonya B. about Stone Mountain, while Kevin Z. from Bald Ridge Creek counters with, "The restroom and shower facilities were clean. Plenty of hot water."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping offers different experiences. "We stayed in early November and there were other campers here, but still plenty of availability. The campground was nice and quiet," notes Laura M. from Fort Yargo State Park Campground.
Reservation requirements: Popular sites book quickly, especially waterfront options. "We paid 30 a night! Nice and quiet too," shares Aaron S. about Bald Ridge Creek, while another camper notes "The spacious sites with lake views tend to book quickly."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds experience ambient noise from nearby roads. "This is close enough to metro to make for a quick getaway. The trail around the lake is good and in the winter it is not too far north has to be too cold to get outside in a tent," explains Anna R. from Red Top Mountain State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Multiple campgrounds offer recreation options. "Rangers were very nice, beach is cool, nice lake front sites. We had a fun time here, especially the kids. They loved riding their bikes around in this great family friendly campground," says Rick B. about Bald Ridge Creek.
Junior ranger programs: Structured activities keep children engaged. "Friendly staff, with the Jr ranger program still going with the help of adult campers during covid. Still so much fun and so clean and beautiful!!" shares Cheryl C. from Red Top Mountain State Park Campground.
Playgrounds and beaches: Many sites offer built-in entertainment. "We took a picnic lunch with us and found one of the many picnic areas to have lunch and enjoy the lake views," recounts Nancy W. from Fort Yargo, while Rick B. notes the "beach is cool" at Bald Ridge Creek.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: RVers should research campground road conditions. "Heavily wooded sites that are not well maintained. Very narrow roads in the campground with lots of pot holes. Not the easiest state park to pull a travel trailer in. Sites were very narrow," cautions Brock D. about Red Top Mountain State Park.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Stone Mountain: RV travelers with pets find accommodating options throughout the area. "We camped with my parents in the RV section of the campground, it was beautifully wooded and offered plenty of space/privacy from other campsites," says Dalhya L. about Stone Mountain Park Campground, which welcomes pets across all accommodation types.
Leveling considerations: Prepare for potentially uneven sites. "The only downfall was that the trailer needed a lot of leveling. But it was totally worth it. Our site was on the lake," advises Susan K. about her stay at Stone Mountain Park Campground.
